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Birdwell, Christopher J.
Army Sergeant

Christopher J. Birdwell, age 25, from Windsor, Colorado, Weld county.

Service era: Afghanistan
Military history: 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brgade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Date of death: Monday, August 27, 2012
Death details: Died in Kalagush, Afghanistan of injuries suffered from enemy, small arms fire. Spc. Mabry J. Anders was also killed.

Source: Department of Defense, Military Times

Brown, Scott James
Army Sergeant 1st class

Scott James Brown, age 33, from Windsor, Colorado, Weld county.

Spouse: Delilah Brown
Children: Taylor

Service era: Iraq
Military history: Company A, 1St Battalion, 325Th Infantry, 2 Bct, Fort Bragg, Nc

Date of death: Friday, May 18, 2007
Death details: Died in Baghdad after his unit was hit with an imprvised bomb and small arms fire

Source: Department of Defense

Mackenzie, Tyler Ryan
Army Private 1st class

Tyler Ryan Mackenzie, age 20, from Evans, Colorado, Weld county.

Service era: Iraq
Military history: Company B, 1St Battalion, 502D Infantry (Tf Baghdad), Fort Campbell, Ky

Date of death: Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Death details: Hostile; Baghdad, Iraq

Source: Department of Defense, Military Times

Shapley, Eldon Lyle
Army Specialist 5

Eldon Lyle Shapley, age 22, from Weld County Greeley, Colorado .

Parents: Donald R. Shapley

Service era: Vietnam
Schools: Greeley Central High (1967)

Date of death: Sunday, October 10, 1971
Death details: Killed in action in Vietnam

Source: National Archives, Greeley Daily Tribune (1971)

Pappenheim, Thomas Henry
Marines Corporal

Thomas Henry Pappenheim, age 22, from Eaton, Colorado, Weld county.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Tuesday, August 18, 1970
Death details: Killed in action

Source: National Archives, Fort Collins Coloradoan (1970)

Benjamin, Jeffery James
Army Specialist 4

Jeffery James Benjamin from Kennesburg, Colorado, Weld county.

Parents: Cyril C. Benjamin

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Monday, May 25, 1970
Death details: Killed in action

Source: National Archives, Associated Press (1970)

Kohler, Delvin Lee
Navy Petty officer 3rd class

Delvin Lee Kohler from Colorado, Weld county.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Thursday, October 2, 1969.

On October 2, 1969, a C-2A Greyhound (bureau number 152796) carrying five crew members and twenty passengers took off on a routine logistics support flight from Cubi Point Naval Station, Republic of the Philippines, to the USS Constellation (CVA 64) in the Gulf of Tonkin. En route, the aircraft was in radio and radar contact with the carrier when it suddenly disappeared from the radar. There were no distress calls or beepers heard. An extensive air and surface search was begun immediately and recovered some personal effects and aircraft debris, but no survivors. Eventually, a crash site was discovered off the coast of North Vietnam, however, no remains were recovered.

Aviation Structural Mechanic Third Class Delvin Lee Kohler entered the U.S. Navy from Colorado and was a member of Fighter Squadron 142, embarked aboard the Constellation. He was a passenger aboard this Greyhound when it crashed, and he was lost with the aircraft. His remains were not recovered. Today, Petty Officer Kohler is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Moreno, Ricardo Leon
Army Sergeant

Ricardo Leon Moreno, age 29, from Greely, Colorado, Weld county.

Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Sunday, May 29, 1966
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Moreno distinguished himself by heroic action on 29 May 1966, while serving as a fire team leader with B, 2/35th Infantry. This unit was lifted by helicopter into a landing zone in the Central Highlands northwest of Duc Co. On landing the entire unit came under heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from elements of a NVA regiment. Although Sergeant Moreno’s platoon was able to move to one side of the landing zone, they were unable to progress against the dug-in enemy positions due to the intense fire they were receiving. Recognizing this dilemma, Sergeant Moreno knew the only way to get his team moving again was to set the example himself. He quickly directed his grenadier to provide covering fire and with complete disregard for his own safety dashed forward to a new position closer to the enemy bunkers. This outstanding example of leadership and personal bravery inspired the other members of his team, who soon moved forward to join him. This spontaneous action spread to other members of the squad, and shortly thereafter the entire platoon was progressing forward. On numerous occasions Sergeant Moreno was observed displaying this same type of decisive action that, over a period of hours, eventually insured the success of the entire mission. It was during one of these encounters, while courageously driving his team forward, that Sergeant Moreno was mortally wounded by enemy fire. This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Spouse: Mary A. Moreno

Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association

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